iOS 6.0.2: Potential Battery Drain Fix Available from Apple Support

Customer claims to have fixed his troubles with a simple settings reset

iOS "charging" screen

As the iOS 6.0.2 battery drain issues continue to plague numerous iPhone users, as well as a handful of iPad mini users, a potential fix has cropped up in the Apple Support Communities forums.

Apple released iOS 6.0.2 late last year (or last month, whichever way you prefer) with the sole purpose of fixing “a bug that could impact Wi-Fi [connections].”

Exclusively released for iPhone 5 and iPad mini customers, the update was made available over-the-air (OTA).

Soon after the release of iOS 6.0.2, Apple’s forums began filling up with complaints from iPhone 5 users reporting battery drainage caused by the update. A handful of iPad mini users are also complaining about the bug.

“I have a iPad mini and it seems that ever since I updated to iOS 6.0.2 the battery life is horrible,” writes a person identified as Spacemoon56 on the company’s discussion board.

“Ill be on it for a hour and 20% is gone. I've heard other users have also had this problem. Never happened till after I updated,” says the user.

In a growing thread discussing the same issue, an iPhone user says, “I've been having this exact same issue after upgrading from 6.0.1 to 6.0.2 on my iPhone 5. I called Apple Support, and they fixed it for me.”

Using the handle “muka3d,” this person proceeds to outline the instructions allegedly provided by Apple’s support people. “This is what Apple Support told me to do,” writes muka3d.

“1. Close all of my apps (using the app switcher; double tap home, press and hold an icon, click the red close button);

2. Go to Settings -> General -> Reset -> Reset All Settings. (Does NOT delete apps or any data; just resets network/iOS settings);

3. Wait for phone to restart;

4. Charge it up to 100% and monitor.”

The customer says, “After doing this, my iPhone 5 with 6.0.2 has been working perfectly and battery levels are great (12 hours of standby only uses 1%).”

Now, before you proceed to apply these instructions to your own handset, please note that this is not an official fix / workaround from Apple. For all we know, user muka3d could be making all this up.

But still, resetting your phone’s settings is a small price to pay should the fix prove worthwhile. Let us know how it goes. Best of luck to all of you with affected iPhones and iPad minis!